How do you get rid of keratosis obturans?
Treatment. Canaloplasty, where the ear canal is widened using grafts, was first proposed as the treatment for keratois obturans. However, with the migration of keratin within the canal, any amount of widening could not restore the migration of skin.
What is keratosis obturans?
Keratosis obturans (KO) is the buildup of keratin in the ear canal. Keratin is a protein released by skin cells that form the hair, nails, and protective barrier on the skin.
How rare is keratosis obturans?
It is thought that keratosis obturans is due to abnormal epithelial migration of ear canal skin. Classically, it is reported to present with severe otalgia, conductive deafness and global widening of the canal. The frequency of keratosis obturans has been estimated as 4-5 in 1000 new otological cases.
Are keratosis obturans painful?
Keratosis obturans is a benign but painful condition characterized by altered EAC epithelium migratory properties. Facial nerve palsy and erosion of vital intratemporal structures can occur as a result of pressure erosion of the bony EAC and adjacent structures.
Is keratin in ear wax?
We have clearly demonstrated that a cerumen plug consists of keratin arising from the migratory epithelium of the deep external auditory canal and epithelium of the superficial external auditory canal.
Why is my earwax hard and crusty?
Earwax that picks up a lot of debris or sits in the ear canal for a long time can get hard and dry, so it’s more likely to cause a blockage. Conditions that produce a lot of dry, flaking skin, like eczema, can also result in hard earwax.
What to do about keratosis?
Other treatments for seborrheic keratoses include: Cryotherapy: The dermatologist applies liquid nitrogen, a very cold liquid, to the growth with a cotton swab or spray gun. This destroys the growth. The seborrheic keratosis tends to fall off within days. Sometimes a blister forms under the seborrheic keratosis and dries into a scab-like crust.
What are the best treatments for keratosis pilaris?
Boost your body wash with a keratolytic agent. Never heard of keratolytic agents?
Should actinic keratosis be removed?
Actinic keratoses are usually removed because they are unsightly or uncomfortable, or because of the risk that skin cancer may develop in them. Treatment of an actinic keratosis requires removal of the defective skin cells. Epidermis regenerates from surrounding or follicular keratinocytes that have escaped sun damage.
Who is at risk for actinic keratosis?
Who is at risk of getting actinic keratosis? People with fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue or green eyes are most at risk of developing these rough, scaly patches, or keratoses. A history of a sunburn also increases the risk. If not treated, these patches can develop into a more serious form of skin cancer, although this is unusual.